Manston Airport Redevelopment Project

Manston Airport, located in Kent, England, presents a unique and strategic investment opportunity for the future of global airfreight logistics. Once a vital airfield during the Battle of Britain, the airport has been closed since 2014, but is set for a major transformation for air cargo with necessary approvals secured, including the Development Consent Order (DCO) from the UK Government, to redevelop the site into a dedicated airfreight hub. 

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The government-approved Development Consent Order provides consent for:

• 19 wide-body parking stands

• 4 narrow body passenger stands 65,000m2 (750,000ft2) of cargo terminal

• 100 ha of non-aircraft pavement (247 acres)

• 57 ha (140 acres) of aircraft pavement

• 105,000m2 (1.1m ft2) of landside development

• 8 business aviation hangers

• 3 recycling hangars and aprons

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This project addresses the growing demand for airfreight capacity, as Manston’s strategic location offers a critical alternative to the overcrowded London airports, providing a much-needed solution for transporting time-sensitive goods like fresh produce and medical supplies. 

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The airport will also alleviate road congestion caused by trucks traveling through the Channel Tunnel to European airports, offering a more efficient and environmentally friendly airfreight solution. By shifting cargo transport from trucks to planes, Manston will also help reduce CO₂ emissions, as airfreight is more fuel-efficient than trucking goods over long distances. 

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Once fully operational, Manston will be capable of handling over a million tonnes of freight annually, positioning it as a key player in the UK’s air cargo network and a major driver of economic growth in Kent.